Overcoming the uncomfortable

As many of you know for the past 2 months I have been recovering from a sprained ankle. Let's just say that it has been an incredibly difficult/painful journey and still consistently reminds me that it is still not healed. Eventhough it has been the most inconvenient obstacle to deal with in many ways that injury has brought more revelation than I could have ever imagined. On top of the ankle injury, I am also just getting over being sick for almost three weeks which included an inner and outer ear infection and major sinus/cold issues. My body, emotions, and spirit has been put through the ringer since I become staff at YWAM Jacksonville Beach. Not to mention I am still not even at 15% of the budget needed for monthly support.

I say all these things to preface me saying that God is incredibly faithful, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am exactly where God wants me in every way. I feel like I have learned more in these last 2 months about the nature and character of God than I have in my whole life, and everyday I learn even more. I have battled in my heart at times on what people would say in regards to the trails I have been facing, like "she keeps getting ill, she must be in sin, or not where God wants her," or something like "I thought you said God would provide everything, why do you not have consistent support raised." I find it easy at times to jump to the thought "oh, I'm suffering I must not be doing what God wants me to do," than to just praise Him and hold on to everything he has shown you that you are called to in spite of the difficulties.

Just recently God has shown me that following Him, in more cases than not, means you will be uncomfortable through most of the journey. I have learned unity, humility, when to rest, when to endure, and soo much more though these experiences. Those things are incredible, but the greatest thing I have learned in the process is my complete reliance on Jesus to get me through everyday! I know physically, mentally, and spiritually I do not have the strength to accomplish any of the tasks set before me without God. Through this revelation it has overflowed on to all things in my life. I am not fearful of my financial situation because I know God is faithful and has provided exactly what I have needed to the penny up to this point. I am not going to sit in pity of my pains because if I rest in Him and even read the tell tell signs my body is speaking I will be fully available when the times arise for me to be of service to God's leading. I feel like everyday through the testimony of His goodness in my life, and areas I am receiving healing God has made me more equipped for the tasks he has set before from mentoring some of the students in the Discipleship Training School, to being inclined to the leading of the Holy Spirit to highlight people when I'm just out and about that He wants to encourage through me just being willing to pray or buy a meal for. My life is no longer on-duty christian, off-duty christian. I am just a lover of Jesus and know that His heart is to have relationship with His creation, and I want to partner with Him to restore what has been lost.

Me praying for Lance's healing

I want to end this with a brief testimony of a chance that I got to pray for a gentlemen named Lance on the beach. It was this past Sunday and one of the students and I went to the beach to pray into the Father's heart for worship on Monday. Eventhough the sun was out it was kind of cold because of the sea breeze so we decided to lay down, to try to dodge the wind hitting us directly, and listened to worship. Then randomly I lifted my head of to look down the coast and saw a guy limping onto the beach with a brace on his leg. Instantly I felt like I wanted to go pray for him for healing, but was like in my head "oh course I do, he has a brace, this is just me thinking this, and I really want to just chill out." Well, I could shake the feeling and came to the conclusion after praying and waiting on the Lord to get up from my comfortable position on the sand in the warm sun to gimp my way over to him (because sand is REALLY difficult to walk in, and quite painful when you have an ankle injury), but I still didn't know how to enter into conversation with him. So I noticed they were taking pictures, and I said to God "ok, I know I can ask them if I can take a picture for them," and as soon as I said that, one of the guys looked over at me and said "Hey, can you take a picture for us??" I just laughed because God confirmed in me that was I doing exactly what I was supposed no matter how uncomfortable I was at first. So I took the pictures, and proceeded to explain what lead up to me coming to them, and then asked if I could pray for healing on Lance's behalf. So I prayed, and no from what I know he didn't get physically healed. They stated that they hoped he would be healed physical and that the prayer worked. I was then able to share the testimony of my ankle, that I have had probably 60 people pray over my ankle, and I haven't received physically healing, but in the process of it just taking it's time to heal my heart has received more healing that I could have ever imagined. I explained the Father's love to them. After finishing the conversation I went and sat back down with the amazing revelation that physically healing is always a heart healing first.

I know this is a long winded entry, but just felt all these things on my heart to share. Through all things you go through keep your eyes focused on God, I know he will show you what is happening even if you do not full understand.

"My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights."

(Proverbs 3:1-12 ESV)

Tender TN Christmas

I can't believe this year is almost over, but before this year ends I want to update you about what is happening now and into this next year. 

I have been mentoring 5 girls who have been in the Discipleship Training School for going on 8 weeks. I have seen some amazing breakthrough and them stepping out in ways that are such blessings to witness and be apart of. A few weeks ago I even got the chance to help lead worship at a conference up in Ohio, which was a childhood dream come true. Helping with this school has definitely been stretching physically, mentally, and spiritually, but has been one of the most wonderful times of my life. There is something about following God and walking in my calling and diving deeper into it. 

As we are winding down from this school we as staff are going to get to go home for Christmas, where I will also get the chance to drive up to St. Louis, MO to represent the base at the Urbana Conference. I never thought I would get to go home and kind of expected that I would be here in FL for Christmas. Thankfully Sarah and Michael Young also are from my home town, so I am going to hitch a ride up with them, and most likely back down after they take a trip further north to Michigan, but as we all know there are expenses in traveling. We have figured that it will take $300 in gas just to get to TN and back. As we live off of monthly support I am asking that you pray about sending one time gifts so that we will all get to spend Christmas with our families. I also ask that you pray about giving so that while I am at the conference I will have a budget to eat on. This trip will be the last time we will all get to travel to see our families for at least 6 months because we are all going to be full time staff of the next school that starts in January. At this point we have 24 confirmed students and will max out at 30. We all will be mentoring again, planning all their weekly ministries times, arranging and planning the extended outreach at the end of the school, then leading the outreaches. After just being part time with the current school I know how school is going to be challenging but also very exciting. I ask that you be in prayer for Sarah and Michael as they are leading this school and that you pray that the Lord sends the staff needed to assist in the school. 

If you feel that you would like to give towards us getting home for Christmas and me getting up to St.Louis please contact me at mistylwallace85@gmail.com.